How are visitation, and child support (CS) related?
Legally speaking, visitation and CS are completely separate issues. Though a court usually makes an order for both at the same time, they have no bearing on each other. For example, they cannot be “traded” for one another. Also, for example, if you are being denied visitation, you are still obligated to pay your CS. Conversely, if you are not receiving your CS, you must still produce the child for visitation. Practically speaking, however, visitation and CS are closely intertwined. All the available research indicates that non-custodial parents who regularly receive their visitation pay about 85% or more of the CS they are obligated to pay. Not surprisingly, non-custodial parents who do not see their children frequently or at all pay only about 35% of their CS obligation. For more detailed statistics, please visit the links in our Research section.
